overlock vs babylock

[Joni Lowe]

Can someone tell me what the difference is between these machines? And how do they differ from a standard serger?

[cgmemphis]

Joni, Hi!

Baby Lock or Babylock is a brand name of a serger. An overlock machine or overlocker is another way of saying serger, and I don't think it is a brand name. There are several brands of overlockers/sergers: Babylock, Janome, Elna, Singer.....

If I am not giving you the correct info, someone will let us know!

The Babylock has some patents/features that the other sergers do not have, primarily jet-air looper threading which makes it so desirable. If you are interested in buying a serger, determine your budget, and then go to your local dealers and do a "test drive" of those sergers. Learn all you can to make an informed decision.

Hope this helps,

[LeapFrog Libby]

My serger is a basic type , not too many bells and whistles. It is a Babylock Lauren. runs about $300.00. I had my first one made by Babylock for 22 years before it died, but I gave it to a retired sewing machine repairman in the neighborhood and he fixed it and has it sewing again. I bought the Lauren and it has differential feed and a few more adjustments that my old one did not have. I am really happy with it. Some of the more ritzy ones have a lot more features, but I have my Janome memory craft 4000 and my Janome 900 coverstitch machine for all those other things I need, and I love my serger. I am in the process of making 50 stockings for our annual Christmas for the troops project at church, and "Lauren" is purring happily along. makes quick work of a stocking, all I have to do is turn rso and press then machine hem the top where a cuff would be on a fancier one. We have to ship them priority mail so they are just plain Christmas fabric , with no extras like cuffs and things like that. I have made quite a few baby bibs on lauren also. (from fingertip decorated towels).

[Joni Lowe]

So, if I'm reading this information correctly, you two are telling me that a serger/babylock/overlock are pretty much one KIND of machine that is known or identified by different names? If you have one you have all? Like a basic sewing machine only Bernina/janome/Viking? Same thing, different manufacturers?

[MartySews2]

Joni, just like sewing machines, sergers come in different makes, models and sizes. I have the Ovation serger which is by Babylock and has patented thread delivery system which makes it so much easier to thread. It also has better lighting, more room to the right, a knee lift and can switch easily to cover stitch or rolled hem without any hassles. Mine does have all of the bells and whistles and hubby paid a very high price for it for my birthday. Not all Babylock sergers have the jet-air threading system just some of them do. The Juki serger also has a thread delivery system like the Babylock. Most sergers range in price from around $200-$5000 depending on make and model. Hope this helps.
Marty
PS: Joni, it's nice to see you posting again.

[LeapFrog Libby]

Joni, This may help you understand. The overlock is a stitch name made by a serger machine. It is either a 3 or 4 thread stitch with either 1 or 2 needles and an upper looper and a lower looper. Babylock is a company that manufacturers various typed of machines that sew in one form or another. They make regular sewing machines and sergers. The name Marty mentioned (Juki) is a commercial machine maker I think. I know I have seen a Juki in a shop that had so many pegs for threads that I could not count them. That particular machine was a combination of embroidery machine and serger I think. The owner explained it that way anyway. I did not see it at work.

[Harriet A]

Juki also makes domestic sergers and from what I have read, they also make sergers for Bernina.
Harriet